Orland Park Police Promote Rail Safety Week

Throughout the week, OPPD will have enforcement details planned at various railroad grade crossings and commuter stations.

Officers will cite both drivers and pedestrians who disobey the laws associated with railroad grade crossings and railroad property. In addition, police officers will be distributing literature to the public that contains information on how to be safe around trains and train tracks.

OPPD reminds residents that it is against the law to stop your vehicle on railroad tracks or to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement in advance of the crossing, and if not marked by white stop lines, the highway-rail grade crossing extends from protective gate arm to protective gate arm.

Trains cannot stop quickly. Even if a locomotive engineer sees you, it will take the average train more than one mile to stop. The average train weighs 200 tons, and the average automobile weighs less than two tons.

Last year in Illinois, there were 101 crossing collisions involving motor vehicles, which resulted in 43 injuries and 24 fatalities. In addition, there were 41 trespasser incidents that resulted in 19 injuries and 22 fatalities when people trespassed onto railroad property. During 2016, Illinois ranked second in the nation in vehicle collision fatalities and seventh in the nation in trespasser fatalities.

According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 86 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells).

For more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week, please visit www.illinoisrailsafetyweek.org or contact the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.